Episode 14 - Greg Hatch - Escaping the COVID shut down in Ivory Coast, food poisoning, and pre-mission trip site visits

A long-time Maranatha volunteer and leader, Greg explains how he first got into missions, influenced by his parents and uncle, Maranatha board member, Roger Hatch. He reflects on the first mission trip he led solo, how he’s improved in handling interpersonal conflicts on a project, how he’s become more efficient in anticipating needs on the construction site, and how he delegates leadership tasks amongst his team. Greg shares how crucial the pre-mission trip site visits are, why it’s important for volunteers to understand who they’re serving on a project, and how he prepares them to return to normal life back home.Greg recounts his experience serving in Côte d’Ivoire in March 2020 as the world shut down due to COVID, as well as one of his most challenging projects he’s ever led, which took place in Ecuador in 2007. He gives advice to aspiring mission trip leaders and explains why he always uses Maranatha to facilitate his mission trips.Watch the television episode that includes Greg’s group getting out of Côte d’Ivoire as the world shut down due to COVID: https://watch.maranatha.org/videos/mms11e02Clarification: Dustin couldn’t remember exactly, but speculated that Maranatha might have constructed around 180 houses in Dominica in 1980. The correct number is 110. Later, Maranatha built 160 houses in the Dominican Republic.Thanks for listening! Please subscribe, leave a review, and share the show.Visit maranatha.org for more info on the work of Maranatha Volunteers International.Text us! Let us know what you thought of this episode and the show in general!On September 19, 2026, join us in Sacramento, California, for our annual convention, Mission: Maranatha. You’ll be inspired by volunteer testimonies, stories from the mission field, and updates from Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders around the globe. Plus, be blessed by Oakwood University's award-winning choir, The Aeolians.Learn more at https://maranatha.org/media-events/maranatha-convention/